Online casino licence cost in United States (2026)
Online casino is legal in seven US states, each with its own licence. Most states limit the main licence to existing casino licensees, tribes or the state itself, so new operators usually enter as a partner. Licence fees range from $50,000 in Michigan to $10 million in Pennsylvania, and tax on online casino revenue from 15% in West Virginia to 54% on Pennsylvania online slots.
Figures checked against official sources on 20 October 2026
By state: $50,000 (MI) to $10,000,000 (PA, all categories)
By state: e.g. $250,000 a year (NJ), $50,000 a year (MI)
15% (WV) to 54% on online slots (PA); 19.75% in NJ
Licence types
New Jersey: Internet gaming permit
Online casino, issued only to Atlantic City casino licensees. Platform partners need an internet gaming related licence.
Pennsylvania: Interactive gaming certificate
Online slots, table games and poker (one certificate per category) for PA slot licensees or qualified gaming entities; operators running it need an operator licence.
Source: Pennsylvania Title 4, Chapter 13B (interactive gaming)
Michigan: Internet gaming operator licence
Online casino, only for the Detroit casinos and Michigan tribes, one licence each; platform providers need a supplier licence. Duration: 5 years.
Connecticut: Master wagering licence
Online casino only for the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes, one brand each; their operator partners need an online gaming operator licence.
Delaware: no private licence
Online casino is a state-run lottery product, offered through the three racino casinos.
Rhode Island: no open licence
State-operated online casino with a single platform vendor tied to the state's two casinos.
West Virginia: Interactive wagering licence
Online casino and betting for racetrack video lottery or gaming facility licensees (at most 5); third-party operators need a management services provider licence. Duration: 5 years.
Source: West Virginia Code § 29-22E-6
State regulators fees
| Fee | Amount | Charged on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey: permit deposit | $100,000 | Initial internet gaming permit deposit | NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement: Fee schedule |
| New Jersey: permit issuance | $300,000 | On issue of the internet gaming permit | NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement: Fee schedule |
| New Jersey: permit renewal | $250,000 | Per year | NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement: Fee schedule |
| New Jersey: responsible internet gaming fee | $250,000 | Per year | NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement: Fee schedule |
| Pennsylvania: certificate, all three categories | $10,000,000 | One-off, for slot licensees that petitioned in the first 90-day window (now closed) | Pennsylvania Title 4, Chapter 13B (interactive gaming) |
| Pennsylvania: certificate, per category | $4,000,000 | One-off per category of interactive game (slots, table games, poker) | Pennsylvania Title 4, Chapter 13B (interactive gaming) |
| Pennsylvania: certificate renewal | $250,000 | On each renewal, every 5 years | Pennsylvania Title 4, Chapter 13B (interactive gaming) |
| Pennsylvania: operator licence | $1,000,000 | One-off; $100,000 on each renewal every 5 years | Pennsylvania Title 4, Chapter 13B (interactive gaming) |
| Pennsylvania: qualified gaming entity application | $5,000 | Plus $2,500 per principal and $1,500 per key employee, and a $4 million bond or letter of credit per certificate | PGCB: Interactive gaming licensing process |
| Michigan: operator application | $50,000 | Initial application, plus investigation costs | Michigan MCL 432.306 (operator licence) |
| Michigan: operator licence | $100,000 | On issue; then $50,000 each year | Michigan MCL 432.306 (operator licence) |
| Connecticut: operator licence | $250,000 | Initial licence for an operator partner; $100,000 annual renewal | Connecticut General Statutes, chapter 229b |
| West Virginia: interactive wagering licence | $250,000 | Application fee for a 5-year licence; $100,000 per 5-year renewal | West Virginia Code § 29-22E-6 |
| West Virginia: management services provider | $100,000 | Licence and application fee; $100,000 annual renewal | West Virginia Code § 29-22E-7 |
Gaming tax
19.75%
New Jersey: online casino: Internet gaming gross revenue, plus a 5% investment alternative tax (or 2.5% investment alternative) (from 1 July 2025 (previously 15%)).
Source: New Jersey P.L. 2025, c. 66
54%
Pennsylvania: online slots: Gross revenue from online slots (52% state tax + 2% local share).
Source: Pennsylvania Title 4, Chapter 13B (interactive gaming)
16%
Pennsylvania: online table games and poker: Gross revenue from online table games and poker (14% state tax + 2% local share).
Source: Pennsylvania Title 4, Chapter 13B (interactive gaming)
20% to 28%
Michigan: online casino: Adjusted gross receipts per calendar year, in bands from under $4 million (20%) to $12 million or more (28%), plus a 1.25% Detroit municipal fee.
18%
Connecticut: online casino: Gross gaming revenue from online casino, rising to 20% from the sixth year after the first licence was issued.
15%
West Virginia: online casino and betting: Adjusted gross interactive wagering receipts.
Source: West Virginia Code § 29-22E-16
61% / 15.5%
Rhode Island: online casino: State share of online slot / table game revenue (a revenue share, not a tax).
State-run
Delaware: online casino: Net proceeds go to the State Internet Lottery Fund; there is no operator tax.
Requirements that affect the cost
- Who can hold a licence
- Most states give the main licence only to existing casino licensees, tribes or the state itself, so other operators usually enter as a licensed partner. Pennsylvania also lets qualified out-of-state gaming entities apply directly.Source: Pennsylvania Title 4, Chapter 13B (interactive gaming)
- Financial guarantee (Pennsylvania)
- A $4 million bond or letter of credit per certificate for a qualified gaming entity.Source: PGCB: Interactive gaming licensing process
- Rhode Island revenue split
- Online table games: 15.5% to the state, 35% to the platform vendor, 48.5% to the game vendor and 1% to the host communities.Source: Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 42-61.2-5.2
How to apply: PGCB: Interactive gaming licensing process
Other costs to budget for
The licence and tax are only part of a launch budget. These costs vary too much by operator to give official figures, but every plan for United States should account for them:
- Legal and licensing advisers for the application and ongoing compliance.
- Gaming platform and game content (B2B suppliers, often certified per market).
- Testing and certification of games and systems by an approved testing lab.
- Payments, identity verification (KYC) and responsible-gambling tooling.
- Local staff or a local representative, where the regulator requires one.
- Player acquisition: media, creative and affiliate costs within the market's advertising rules.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an online casino licence cost in United States?
State regulators application fee: By state: $50,000 (MI) to $10,000,000 (PA, all categories). Annual fee: By state: e.g. $250,000 a year (NJ), $50,000 a year (MI). Gaming tax: 15% (WV) to 54% on online slots (PA); 19.75% in NJ. Platform, legal, testing and marketing costs come on top and vary by operator.
What is the online gambling tax in United States?
19.75% for new jersey: online casino, charged on internet gaming gross revenue, plus a 5% investment alternative tax (or 2.5% investment alternative) (from 1 July 2025 (previously 15%)). 54% for pennsylvania: online slots, charged on gross revenue from online slots (52% state tax + 2% local share). 16% for pennsylvania: online table games and poker, charged on gross revenue from online table games and poker (14% state tax + 2% local share). 20% to 28% for michigan: online casino, charged on adjusted gross receipts per calendar year, in bands from under $4 million (20%) to $12 million or more (28%), plus a 1.25% Detroit municipal fee. 18% for connecticut: online casino, charged on gross gaming revenue from online casino, rising to 20% from the sixth year after the first licence was issued. 15% for west virginia: online casino and betting, charged on adjusted gross interactive wagering receipts. 61% / 15.5% for rhode island: online casino, charged on state share of online slot / table game revenue (a revenue share, not a tax). State-run for delaware: online casino, charged on net proceeds go to the State Internet Lottery Fund; there is no operator tax.
How long is a State regulators licence valid?
Michigan: Internet gaming operator licence: 5 years.
Planning a launch in United States?
Once the licence is in place, we plan and run compliant display, video and DOOH campaigns in United States, gated on licence, market and age before every bid.
Get a media planSources
- PGCB: Interactive gaming licensing process
- NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement: Fee schedule
- Pennsylvania Title 4, Chapter 13B (interactive gaming)
- Michigan MCL 432.306 (operator licence)
- Connecticut General Statutes, chapter 229b
- Delaware Code Title 29, chapter 48
- Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 42-61.2-1
- West Virginia Code § 29-22E-6
- West Virginia Code § 29-22E-7
- New Jersey P.L. 2025, c. 66
- Michigan MCL 432.314 (internet gaming tax)
- West Virginia Code § 29-22E-16
- Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 42-61.2-5.1
- Rhode Island Gen. Laws § 42-61.2-5.2
Figures are copied from official sources as published on the date shown and may change. This page is general information for planning, not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm current fees and requirements with State gaming regulators and your advisers before applying.